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See My India

“My mum is very upset. I forgot to send her a message last night to say I was fine. Despite the fact I left home 8 years ago and lived in 3 different cities in two different countries since, she is currently very worried. When I was living in London, we would chat once a week or less, but since I’ve touched Indian soil, she has been extremely worried. Do you know why? Because there is this pre-concept/rumour/urban legend in the Western world of India being extremely dangerous for female travellers, the impossibility to walk on the streets without being sexually harassed (there is harassment, but of another type which I will discuss on my blog later this week….), of men touching you without permission or various other risks for women. So, my mum, for the first time in 8 years, requests me to keep her constantly updated of my movements: morning, afternoon and evening.. That’s why, even being the least tech mom I know, she is on Snapchat now 😅 My mum, and many, many other people around the world think of #India as a scary country – thanks to the media btw – but I’m here to try and destroy this idea forever. I’ve been asked by a few local people here to help spreading the word so, here I am to do so as I desperately want the world to know that – if you are smart enough and respect the local culture – India IS safe. It’s been only two weeks, so maybe too early for such a statement, but let’s see if I will have to change my mind or not. I’m willing to take this challenge on. #letschangewhattheworldthinksofIndia“

This is something I wrote on my Instagram 45 weeks ago while I was travelling around Rajasthan and the rest of India. Back then, I was still at the very beginning of my three-month Indian tour that would later take me to eleven states of that beautiful country. Fast forward to today and I still stand for what I wrote back then. My trip and adventure around India was just filled with the most incredible memories and experiences and despite whatever the media says, I’ve always felt safe and secure.

My mission to change what the world thinks of India hasn’t stopped when I left the country back in December. In fact, I’ve started a solitary campaign to address the questions and the doubts of all my friends, relatives and whomever was asking my opinion. I have kept this cause close to my heart – as I’ve always hated prejudice, racism and stereotypes – with the hope that more and more people interested in the Indian culture would finally leave their fears behind and just go.

https://www.instagram.com/p/91eSUnsQ1d/?tagged=thestoryteller_inindia

It was with immense humbleness and excitement that I have accepted the role of brand ambassador and testimonial for F5 Escapes, an alternative travel company, based in Bangalore, India with a vision to redefine the way women travel India. Their goal – like mine – is to make India a preferred destination for women travellers from across the globe.

Their next tour leaves in November and in 18 days you will have the unique opportunity to explore some of the most amazing places in India all in the safety and comfort of trusty hands. I couldn’t recommend F5 Escapes or this specific tour strongly enough. What you have to do is to drop me a comment below letting me know you are interested and I will send you all the info and put you in touch directly with one of the amazing F5 Escapes girls. For a very convenient price you can witness and experience the best that India has to offer and I am sure will be amazed by this incredible country.

5 FACTS ABOUT F5 ESCAPES:

3 years in operation

Incorporated in India as Zingara Solutions Pvt. Ltd

250+ trusted vendor network across India for end to end logistics support

THE F5 ADVANTAGES:

Local tour leads from different parts of India know their land like the back of their hand

Well-researched, destinations already executed with current set of women customers

THE TOUR

17nights/18days (departing in November / January / February and March)

Delhi – Agra – Amritsar – Dhramshala – Rajasthan – Kerala – Delhi

A glimpse of desert, Himalayas, beaches and backwaters at a moderate pace

If you wish to know more about the tour or F5 Escapes, please feel free to drop me an email to sabrina.andrea.sachs@gmail.com or leave me a comment below.
You can also check more of my Indian shot here and you are still in time to pre-order a copy of your “See My India”, a photo memoir of my travels there here.